Hotel

Optimism prevails in the hospitality sector for 2015, as experts say all product types are showing improving fundamentals, from posh New York City properties to beach resorts, and even select-service assets in tertiary cities.

Blackstone plans to raise $15 billion for its new, global real estate fund, reports Bloomberg. Starwood Capital Group secured a $500 million loan to refinance 85 extended-stay hotels across the nation, according to The Real Deal. Over the past year, the increases in construction costs have outpaced inflation, noted Commercial Property Executive. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

Sears Holdings Corp. said that its plan to sell and lease back some stores may raise more than $2 billion, reports Bloomberg. Forest City Enterprises aims to sell or shed a handful of properties—including most of its Cleveland buildings—to prepare to become a REIT, according to Cleveland.com. Private equity firms like Blackstone are taking a more sedate approach with big clients, signifying that the industry is moving away from its former free-wheeling spirit, notes the New York Times. These are among today's must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

Cushman & Wakefield is going up for sale, reports the Wall Street Journal. Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay will form two real estate joint ventures in the U.S. and Canada, according to Reuters. Hines and Novak Bros. are developing The Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel and Conference Center in Georgetown, Texas, reports Commercial Property Executive. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

Inman looks at challenges facing real estate crowdfunding. Pacific Business News reports that Japanese investors have been the top buyers of Hawaiian properties in 2014. An activist shareholder is urging TravelCenters of America to spin off its real estate, according to Bloomberg. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

Terrorist group Al-Shabaab has called for attacks on Western malls, including the Mall of America, according to CNN. New Residential Investment Corp. agreed to pay $1.3 billion for Home Loan Servicing Solutions Ltd., reports Bloomberg. The Four Seasons Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay has secured $680 million in funding, notes Commercial Property Executive. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

The Lightstone Group is committing $2 billion to buying and developing hotel projects, reports Bloomberg. High apartment rents are spreading to smaller cities, according to CNBC. Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund is buying the new Edition hotel at 5 Madison Avenue, reveals The Real Deal. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

Silver Bay agreed to buy 2,460 single-family homes from The American Home for $263 million, reports Bloomberg. Apartment REITs could be facing the end of their outstanding returns run, notes The Wall Street Journal. This year will likely see a lot of office skyscrapers trading in downtown Dallas, predicts Dallas Business Journal. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

National Storage Affiliate plans a $100 million IPO, reports Inside Self-Storage. The Wall Street Journal reveals that Starwood CEO Frits van Paasschen has resigned from his post. Downtown Dallas saw more office leasing in 2014 than at any time since the 1980s, according to The Dallas Morning News. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

Hilton Worldwide has struck a $1.76 billion deal for five hotels in Florida and San Francisco, reports Bloomberg. A Chinese real estate firm bought a development site in San Francisco for $296 million, according to Commercial Property Executive. Target’s Canadian landlords wants the chain to enter full bankruptcy there, reveals Chain Store Age. These are today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More

U.S. REIT stocks fell hard after the new jobs report increased belief the Fed will raise interest rates by the summer, reports Bloomberg. The CMBS market may be facing some challenges, according to the Commercial Observer. Business Insider lists the more than 1,700 RadioShack stores that will close by March 31. These are today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry....More